Street Lights | Itadori Yuji x Reader

20.

Itadori knew since he caught (Y/n)'s glance months ago that he wanted to explore what he saw in those capturing eyes.

Up until now Itadori felt lighter than air around you, forgetting all the venom Gojo spat at him. Now, after having to knock you out with his own hands to protect you and his secret, unlocking all of those vicious words and smashed dreams, and praying that you wouldn't remember what he had done, Itadori couldn't help but be afraid to see you again, remembering how careless he'd been around you, ignoring Gojo's words.

As Itadori rushed to their aid, he couldn't help but worry about his friends and you.

"Please let Fushiguro and Kugisaki be alright!" Itadori prayed as he squeezed his eyes shut. "Oh my god, (Y/n), I haven't left her or the hospital in a month. I hope she doesn't remember me having to knock her out." just as Itadori's thoughts began to race about your well-being, Gojo popped into his mind, torturing him, reminding him that he'd only hurt you and that his execution was soon to come.

"You'll never fall in love. Poor kid, your existence makes me tear up sometimes, ya know that?" Gojo would say. "Sukuna is no force to be reckoned with so just because your life is being cut short doesn't mean you have to destroy the lives of others. Do the world a favor and stay in the shadows fighting curses where you belong."

Gojo's words would be so hurtful to the point where Itadori would tear up.

No one really knew but Itadori was breaking inside. Not even two hours after losing his grandfather, his only family, he sacrificed his life and humanity by swallowing Sukuna's finger to save his friends and a pretty beat up Fushiguro and in return he was being talked down to and used like an object.

Gojo's vulgar words didn't start until Itadori moved into the dorms: the day after Itadori saw (Y/n) on the train.

Itadori never thought that you could have anything to do with it, he just thought Gojo had a personal grudge against Sukuna or something.

The torment Gojo had put his student through had taken a toll on him as well, leading to many drunken nights alone and dozens of deleted apology texts.

Gojo knew what he was doing was borderline mental abuse.

Satoru Gojo was trying his hardest to be a good, supportive friend to Nanami. Satoru knew that Nanami would have to meet Sukuna's vessel eventually, knowing that he would struggle to contain his emotions towards the curse. As Nanami's closest friend and savior, Satoru originally thought to take it upon himself to put Itadori in his place on behalf of Nanami, knowing what his friend would ask of him, but he couldn't. The sorcerer knew that it wasn't his battle to fight and doing that would only cause more pain and confusion but after a phonecall with Nanami, begging Gojo to destroy every piece of Itadori's self-esteem, confederate, and heart as he suspected he would, he knew he had to for his friend even though it tore him apart.

Satoru Gojo was now responsible for destroying a grieving kids heart for the sake of his friend and he didn't know how to fix that. In his heart he knew he'd gladly take the blame and hatred so Nanami wouldn't have to live with the same feelings but, he wanted Yuji to know how apologetic and ashamed he was.

~~

The boy's thoughts ceased as he began getting closer to where his friend described.

As Yuji approached his destination he was immodestly met with the sight of an unconscious Kugisaki alongside the rubble of a changing hut.

"KUGISAKI?!" the vessel yelled as he ran to his friend, checking for a pulse on her neck.

"Itadori..." he heard a weak voice call from a distance.

The boy layed his friend a little ways away from the rubble and ran to the faint voice.

"Fushi.. guro..?" Yuji asked with wide eyes.

"This.. this one's strong." Megumi struggled to verbalize, out of breath. He was impailed in the stomach and half conscious.

"Fushiguro, does it have a weakness? Can you tell me anything?"

"No." the boy sighed breathlessly. "It.. has white hair and.. and a stitched face."

Yuji 's body stiffened as his blood froze.

He turned his head out of fear and instinct to see Mahito standing behind him.

"(Y/n)!"